FIFA SAYS GFF HAS AUTHORITY TO DECIDE LEAGUE COMPOSITION

1st February, 2017; Georgetown: Global governing body of football, FIFA, has confirmed that the Guyana Football Federation Inc. (GFF) has the right and authority to decide the composition of its competitions, including the Elite League.

Four clubs have breached their obligations under the 2015 GFF Constitution by boycotting the 2016-2017 Elite League, after the GFF Executive Committee decided to include a further two teams in the league.

In a letter to the GFF dated 1st February, 2017, FIFA’s General Secretary Fatma Samoura said: “It is within the power of the GFF Executive Committee to change the regulations of the Elite League, including determining the number of participating Clubs, unless there is a binding written agreement between the GFF and the Elite League which would state otherwise – to the best of our knowledge, however, such an agreement does not exist.”

FIFA’s confirmation follows a similar move by the regional body CONCACAF.

The GFF Executive Committee, elected with a mandate to reform football in Guyana, took the decision to expand the Elite League in order to broaden the geographical reach, commercial potential and competitiveness of the league, and to accelerate the development of football across the country.

In her letter, Samoura referred to Article 36.2.i. of the GFF Constitution, which states that it is within the powers of the GFF Executive Committee to “draw up regulations governing the conditions of participation in and the staging of competitions organised by the Federation, including the playing schedule.

GFF’s President Wayne Forde said: “The Executive Committee has a statutory obligation to adhere to the directives of FIFA and CONCACAF, as do the members of the GFF. My hope is that we can put this matter behind us and refocus the nation’s attention on the game, and the players.”